US wildlife refuge standoff defendant scuffles with deputies

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon standoff defendant Ryan Bundy was involved in an altercation with deputies Tuesday when he refused to be handcuffed for transport, authorities said.

U.S. marshals were scheduled to transport Bundy about 6 a.m. Tuesday, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported (http://goo.gl/VZn4kn).

Multnomah County jail spokesman Capt. Steve Alexander said he didn't know where Bundy was going, but he said Bundy didn't want to leave the cell and argued with a sergeant who was trying to handcuff him. Alexander said that when Bundy "spun around" the sergeant took him to the ground.

His supporters said on social media that Bundy sustained bruises.

Alexander said Bundy was examined by medical staff, and no redness or anything like that was noted. "He was fine," Alexander said.

Bundy was taken to the originally scheduled destination later in the day and then moved to disciplinary housing in the jail. He will be written up for administrative violations including allegedly failing to follow orders, behaving in a threatening or assaultive manner and fighting with staff, Alexander said.

A hearing will be held in several days. If the hearings officer finds that Bundy stepped out of line, his jail privileges will be affected.

In April, Bundy may have planned an escape from the jail. Staff found a 12- to 15-foot section of a bed sheet that was braided into a rope in Bundy's cell, along with a container of extra food he wasn't supposed to have, officials said. Bundy has denied he was attempting an escape.

Ryan Bundy is the older brother of Ammon Bundy, the leader of the 41-day occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oregon.

The Bundys and six other co-defendants are scheduled for trial Sept. 7 for their alleged involvement in the armed takeover early this year. Prosecutors say the group broke into safes, tampered with federal records and left behind a mess, including ammunition, explosives, trash and human waste.